The Grandkids

It has been a couple of very busy weeks and I've have lots of photos of the grandkids to share.  First, we must properly introduce Breslyn.

She is now almost 6 weeks.  It is hard to get her relaxed and still, other than when she sleeps, but I got a little lucky on Sunday afternoon.

And here's one from her recent Baptism.

We can't get over how much she looks like Ryan when he was little.

Then there is this crazy one of Ryan. He was running down the side aisle after the Baptism and making the goofiest faces.  This one just cracked me up.

And here is their new little family.

That is probably the best photo I managed to get of Austin. Which is weird because he is normally so photogenic.  He just won't sit still and he feels compelled to make a silly face every time I get out my camera. I'm thinking it's a "4" thing.

And Luke has been his normal adorable self.  Here he is at the Baptism.

And here he is playing with his water table.  He was having so much fun.

And this is the face he made after he dunked his head in the water.

You're killing me Luke.

Thanks for visiting.

Here's What I got...

Here is what I ordered from H&M and Macy's from Fashion Star.  I figured this was a good way to afford something from Kara before she is out of my price range.

(Please note this is basically a white tee, although it really is a light sheer material.  I told you I can't resist them.)

And these cropped pants.  They are in a very light weight material, perfect for the summer.  (Sorry this image is so small.  It was the only version I could get to save properly.

Just sharing.

TV Addictions

I know it's well into the new TV season, but I'm finally ready to share my current list of addictions.

1.  Smash - This has to be my favorite.  I don't care how implausible the situation in which they breakout in song.  I love it.  Especially anything to do with the show within the show.  Not to say there haven't been moments that make me go "Eww".  The whole Julia and Michael affair was a giant "Ewwwww" moment, but they did end it quickly and put me out of my misery.

I love Tom, Julia, Karen, Ivy, Derek and of course, Eileen.  How wonderful to see the glorious Angelica Houston on my screen each week.  I love every time Eileen tosses a drink in her Ex's face.  Wonderful moment.

They even made a brilliant evil character that you love to hate.  Ellis is just so creepy and transparent.  I'm sure he's going to create a lot of havoc in the new season.

2.  Revenge - This is so Dallas/Dynasty moved to the Hamptons, that I have to apologize to anyone who catches me watching this, but the storyline had me hooked from the beginning.  And such an amazing cast of characters.  Madeleine Stowe is perfect as the evil/misunderstood Victoria Grayson. And Emily VanCamp is equally as good as the revenge obsessed Emily Thorne.  No one is exactly what they pretend to be, which just adds to each weekly installment.

3.  Grimm - This modern day adaption of the fairy tale cast of evil characters and monsters is creepily addictive.  Having the hero character cast as a police detective and monster hunter (a Grimm), is very clever.  He solves crimes as he rids the world of  goblins and ghouls.  There are times when I seriously can't look at the TV as I am easily creeped out, but that doesn't stop the need to watch.

Best part...hands down is Silas Weir Mitchell as Monroe.  Monroe is a recovering blutbad (werewolf) and the shows brilliant comic relief as he helps our hero, Nick Burkhardt decipher the mysteries and dangers of the supernatural world.

4.  Fashion Star - This is Project Runway without all the bitchy backstories.  This show to me, is all about the clothes.  Each week, the contestants create 3 version of the same look or concept and without much delay, there is a stream of fashion shows and some amazing clothing.  And here is the best part.  Each week, buyers from Macy's, Saks and H&M can bid on the clothes they want to sell in the their stores.  So you don't have to be the actual winner to win some sales.  The clothes are then available on line and at the stores.

I LOVE Kara's clothing and did finally order some online this morning.  Something from H&M and something from Macy's.  (Would have loved something from Saks, but they are just out of my price range.)

Caity was all concerned that Jessica Simpson was one of the mentors, but she has proven herself to be far less annoying then her persona.  And Nicole Ritchie is one very savvy young women.  I am very impressed with her style and talents.  There is definitely something there.

5.  The Voice - This show didn't hook me in it's first season, but it got me this season.  I think the big draw is Blake Shelton and Adam Levine.  Blake, besides being wonderful to look at, he is also very down to earth and hilarious.  His bromance with Adam just cracks me up.

The final four singers were all incredibly talented.  We aren't dealing with untried talent on this program.  All of the final four performers are established and well trained.  The winner of this season, Jermaine Paul, is just a wonderful singer and performer.

I will take a second here to mention that Christina Aguilera is such an annoying person (I am refraining from saying the "B" word here), that there were times I wanted to throw something at the TV.  Between her not so subtle slams of her former Mickey Mouse Club co-star Tony Lucca and her proturding out-of-control iron orbs, she just comes off as the typical spoiled diva.  But don't let that stop you from watching, the rest of the show is very entertaining.  (OK...not that chick doing the backstage interviews.  I don't ever want to hear "you're trending across the country" ever again.  WTF does that mean anyway!!)

6.  Once Upon A Time - This is a more traditional spin on the fairy tale stories, bringing all the characters to life in a the modern day fictional town of Storybrooke, Maine.  Each episode moves back and forth between the days of yore and current day, with all the characters stuck in the future not knowing who they really are.  When the mysterious Emma Swan comes to town, it turns out she is the secret to breaking the spell that holds them locked in time.

Are the special effects awful...yes.  Can you tell that it's shot in front of a green screen...yes.  But don't let that stop you from just enjoying a good story.




Do you watch any of these?  What are your favs.

In Honor of the White Tee

Spent some time shopping with Mom yesterday.  We had some great successes and since she hates shopping, this makes her day.

As I shopped, it brought to mind my mild obsession with white tees.  I am drawn to them like a moth to a flame.  They draw me in and I can't turn my gaze.

Crew neck, V-neck, short sleeve, long sleeve.  Doesn't matter the style (OK...I'm not a scoop neck fan), I just love them.  I have a decent size collection.  I frequently have to make myself NOT by the white version.  Get a blue tee or  a red tee.  You need to have some variety.

I love a great white tee.

What's your obsession?  Shoes, dishes, socks, books.  What can't you resist? I really want to know.  Please share so I feel more normal.

Card of the Week

I have managed to make a few cards in the last couple weeks.  These first two were create based upon this week's CPS sketch.

And I think I got them done just in time.

A couple weeks ago I was able to complete the following couple of cards.  They were originally based upon a CPS sketch, but I missed the posting date and I played quite liberally with the design so I don't think anyone would have recognized them.

Feels good to see them all compiled together.  Makes me feel somewhat accomplished.  

The Avengers Movie Review

The Avengers

Garde: A+

I've been off my movie reviewing game for a bit now.  Might have overdone it leading up to the Academy Awards and worn myself out.  Or it could be that the early part of the year is usually a little on the slow side as movies go.

Anyway, the season is surely heating up with the highly anticipated release of The Avengers.  The movie unites Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye,  Black Widow and The Hulk under the guidance and direction of Nick Fury.

This movie is exciting, intelligent and visually spectacular.  The story is great focusing on Lokey's (Thor's brother) and his plan to destroy earth.  Despite a plethora of characters, each is well defined and each plays a significant role in the movie.

The special effects are some of the best I've seen.  The Hulk no longer looks like a cartoon character.  He looks real and even  a bit like Mark Ruffalo, who plays Dr. Banner.

Some of the best moments are the subtle comedic ones.  I wish I could remember them all.  The $10 scene between Captain America and Nick Fury is brilliant and the scene between The Hulk and Lokey echos the Indiana Jones scene where he pulls out a gun to shoot the big huge guy with the big huge sword.

You can also tell that Robert Downey Jr. was born to play Tony Stark/Iron Man.  He's just great and having so much fun with this character.

I would recommend going to see this with a big audience.  The exuberance of the audience only adds to the overall effect of the movie.  So many people are so excited about this movie.  You can just feel it pulsing through the theater.  It's a real feel good movie, reminiscent of days past when we could just let our little kid out.

And...even though I'm not a 3D fan and we did not see the 3D version, the big conflict scenes would have been enhanced by this special effect.

I have to be honest, I am not a Marvel Comics person.  In fact my only exposure to these Super Heroes is through each of their movies.  That said, prior to this movie I did not know anything about Hawkeye and Black Widow.  I plan to sit down soon with my SIL to get the lowdown on each of these characters, but you don't need to really understand these two to enjoy the movie.

That doesn't mean you don't have to do your homework.  I would highly recommend that you see Iron Man (just the first one), Captain America and Thor prior to seeing The Avengers.  There is a lot of background that will add to the storyline and your enjoyment of the movie.  

Get your summer started right and go see this movie.  Maybe with a group so you can talk about it after and hopefully remember all the comedic zinger moments.

Ten Best Things About Breslyn

1. She's perfect
2. She's so tiny.  You forget how little they are when they are brand new.  It's so much fun to get this reminder.
3. We finally get to buy pink clothes and dresses!
4. Every time I see her, she made new changes.  She's awake much more and able to hold her neck a bit more. 
5. This is the sleep stage where we can go out to lunch and she sleeps through the whole thing.
6. We've been wondering if she would look like either of the boys and we can all see Ryan in her eyes.  
7. She smells like a baby.
8. She's a good sleeper
9. She's a good eater
10. She helps complete a perfect family.